Wichita Falls Hires HDR for Flood Study

The city seeks a FEMA map revision to reduce regulatory burdens on homeowners following a new flood mitigation study.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Geography

Bold vector editorial illustration showing abstract stacked topographical layers, representing land elevation and flood plain survey data. — Wichita Falls has submitted a flood mitigation study to FEMA, aiming to revise floodplain maps and reduce development burdens for east-side homeowners. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local governments prioritize easing property development restrictions in flood-prone areas?

Wichita Falls commissioned HDR Engineering in June 2026 to conduct a flood mitigation study using advanced lidar 3D modeling. The findings suggest that current FEMA maps may overstate the floodplain size on the city's east side.

Why it matters

Updating the maps could shift the floodplain boundary by three to four blocks, potentially easing development requirements for local residents. The city aims to align regulatory oversight with the most accurate data available.

The city paid $177,535.69 for the study to replace outdated floodplain mappings. Updated modeling could potentially relocate the flood boundary by three to four blocks across the east side of the city.

The players

Wichita Falls

A city in north Texas that is currently working to update its local floodplain designations.

HDR Engineering

A global architecture and engineering firm specializing in complex infrastructure and flood mitigation projects.

FEMA

The federal agency responsible for coordinating the government's response to disasters and managing national flood insurance maps.

The details

City officials are currently preparing to submit the study results to FEMA to initiate a formal map revision review. Once submitted, the process is expected to take up to 90 days to reach a decision.

The city hired HDR Engineering for the flood mitigation study in June 2026.
A revised floodplain map could potentially be in place by January 2028.

The Big Picture

This effort follows the standards set by the National Flood Insurance Program's Flood Insurance Rate Maps to define flood-prone areas. The study marks an attempt by the city to align its local zoning with these federal map protocols.

Homeowners currently restricted by floodplain regulations may see a reduction in permitting requirements for property improvements if the maps are revised. The update directly impacts the ability of east side residents to develop or modify their property without special permits.

The takeaway

Local governments often conduct independent technical studies to ensure federal flood maps reflect modern topographical reality. Residents should stay informed about the upcoming FEMA submission process as it proceeds toward the potential January 2028 update.